2021 Mazda CX-5 vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 was a departure from the deeply-creased hoods and chiseled grilles that many automakers favored. Instead, Mazda opted for a smooth, sleek design that appeared almost slippery even when stationary. While it wasn't a standout in terms of aggressive styling, it took the familiar Mazda design language in a more refined direction. The base CX-5 Sport featured automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Higher trims like the Touring and Grand Touring added features such as leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and 19-inch brilliant silver aluminum alloy wheels.

The top-tier CX-5 Signature model elevated the vehicle to a premium level, rivaling offerings from brands like Buick and Acura. It included Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine wood trim, and a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink. The interior materials felt high-quality and well-executed, making the CX-5 a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish yet functional compact crossover.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, represented a significant shift for Buick, which had traditionally favored conservative styling. Over the past 15 years, Buick transitioned from a sedan-heavy lineup to an all-SUV portfolio, reflecting broader market trends. The Enclave, first introduced in 2008, received a mid-cycle refresh for 2022, featuring a new grille, front and rear fascias, headlamps, and taillamps. The top-of-the-line Avenir trim level boasted unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the 2022 Enclave featured a restyled center console with new push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim included climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, and unique trim and seat stitching. While it didn't quite reach the luxury levels of the Cadillac XT6, the Enclave's materials and design were a cut above, offering a comfortable and visually appealing cabin.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base model featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available on higher trims, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. AWD was standard on these models.

Fuel efficiency for the CX-5 varied depending on the drivetrain and engine. The most fuel-efficient version, a FWD model with the non-turbo engine, achieved 25 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. Models with the turbocharged engine were slightly less efficient, with AWD versions getting 22 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. The CX-5's sporty driving style and stiff suspension made for an engaging driving experience, though it could be less comfortable on rough roads.

The 2022 Buick Enclave kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trims. The Enclave's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Buick's reputation for quiet, smooth rides was upheld by the Enclave, especially with the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The Enclave handled well on various terrains, offering a serene cabin experience thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was responsive, and the nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5's interior design allowed it to meet most family needs comfortably. The seating position and comfort level were typical for an SUV of its size, though rear legroom was limited, especially with taller front-seat occupants. The CX-5 had two full LATCH connections on the rear outboard seats and a tether connector on the middle rear seat. Climate controls were straightforward and easy to use, though the larger shifter took up more space than modern electronic shifters.

Cargo space in the CX-5 was below average for the segment, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 offered significantly more cargo space.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in passenger comfort and space. Ingress and egress were easy, and visibility was excellent. Standard features included an eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated. Premium and Avenir trims added four-way power lumbar with massage and heated second-row seats. The Enclave's spacious cabin accommodated passengers comfortably in all three rows, with ample headroom, legroom, hip room, and shoulder room.

The restyled center console featured new push-button transmission gears and a covered compartment housing two cupholders. The Enclave offered ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. Power-folding third-row seats made accessing the cargo space even easier.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the screen size was impressive, the operating system was less so. The interface was uncluttered but felt outdated and was difficult to use via the center console knob. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing a workaround for the less intuitive infotainment system.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with Premium and Avenir trims getting a larger 8-inch reconfigurable version. The Essence trim included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The system could pair up to 10 devices, with two smartphones active simultaneously, and included a built-in WiFi hotspot.

The Enclave's standard six-speaker audio system was adequate, but the 10-speaker Bose system in Premium and Avenir trims was superior. Each Enclave came with a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM 360L and six USB ports, two in each row. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, hitch guidance with hitch view, a digital rear camera mirror, and HD surround vision.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. Optional features included a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition.

The CX-5 earned high safety ratings, being named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and receiving a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Mazda backed the CX-5 with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2022 Buick Enclave saw significant updates to its driver-assist and safety tech. The Buick Driver Confidence Plus package became standard on all Enclaves, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-change alert with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance with lane-departure warning, rear park assist, following-distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Other standard safety features included a Safety Alert driver's seat, a rear-seat reminder system, and an HD reversing camera. Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, head-up display, and rear pedestrian alert. The Enclave received a four-star rating for rollover resistance from NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.